The issue of battery decor is still relevant for many compatriots. The aesthetics of the appearance of even the most modern heating radiators sometimes leaves much to be desired or simply does not fit into the interior of the room. In order to do everything correctly and beautifully, it is necessary to use the advice of experienced masters.
Laws of heat engineering
The desire of the owners to make the battery to their taste often leads to undesirable consequences in the form of heat loss. Decor radiators should not impede the passage of infrared radiation and convection. Thanks to these two values, comfortable conditions are created in the room: infrared radiation heats objects with heat, and convection provides air heating. Warm air rising up displaces the cold.
The conclusion is that the deeper the battery is hidden, the greater the heat loss. The radiator should not be covered from above and tightly closed over the entire area. The most reasonable solution will be to choose such a way of decorating the battery so that it provides maximum access to it (large holes in the overlay, painting, decoupage, etc.).
Options for decorating heating radiators
There are several ways to decorate radiators. Among them:
- staining (can be solid or using a stencil) is the most budget option;
- decoupage (gluing drawings with subsequent coating), refers to budget options;
- screens (can be made independently or purchased at a hardware store), prices fluctuate, depending on the material, workmanship and manufacturer's company.
Screen designs
Before proceeding to the decor of screens for the battery, you need to understand the designs of these products. They can be leaning on the floor and hanging, in the form of a table or cabinets with doors. The screen has two significant drawbacks. The first is the presence of sharp corners, which can be injured, tear clothes or curtains. The second is that it is difficult to keep this complex structure clean, because inconvenience with access provokes a constant accumulation of dust in the small elements of the screen. Consumers should understand the models that best meet all aesthetic and functional requirements. Screens come in the following designs:
- Flat (the battery is in the recess between the walls, the window sill is on top). Ventilation openings must be present on flat screens, otherwise the supply of warm air will be completely shut off.
- Mounted (the screen is suspended on a heating radiator). These products should also have openings for air circulation. The radiator must be powerful to support the weight of the screen.
- Attached (fully autonomous design, which is attached to the radiator). Such a screen is the most expensive, because it is made directly by the size of the battery and is complicated in execution (the customer himself comes up with a design to taste).
Materials for the manufacture of screens
The decor of the batteries (see photo in the review), made in the form of a screen, should be made of the following materials:
- Plastic. It is not environmentally friendly, because during heating it releases substances harmful to the human body. Aesthetic characteristics are also not ideal. During operation, the original form is lost, the color fades and becomes more faded. The positive aspects are the relatively low price, moisture resistance and practicality (you can dry things on it).
- Metal. This environmentally friendly material, which heats well, has a long life and attractive appearance. The disadvantages include quick rusting in case of surface damage.
- MDF. Material of average cost, which can be represented in the form of products of the most original and attractive forms. Negative characteristics include: lack of resistance to moisture (which will lead to rapid deformation of the form) and the release of toxic glue vapors into the air.
- Wood. This is an environmentally friendly material, which in the initial stages of operation has an attractive shape and well transmits heat. The disadvantages are that the tree is afraid of dampness (you can’t dry things) and is deformed from constant contact with warm air.
- Glass. Environmentally friendly material that has a stylish and attractive appearance. Negative qualities are fragility and inability to transmit infrared radiation, which leads to heat loss.
Painting
This is the most budget option out of all possible. By painting, you can perform not only the decor of cast-iron batteries, but also modern heating radiators. To do this, you need to purchase acrylic, oil, pentaphthalic quick-drying heat-resistant paint or enamel in a hardware store and paint the batteries in the desired color. You can also use aerosol cans or water-soluble formulations with the above characteristics. You can paint the batteries at any time of the year, but the most reasonable solution is to start the process of coloring not during the heating season. The paint will have the opportunity to dry naturally, which will protect it from uneven distribution over the surface. A step-by-step instruction looks like this:
- Remove the battery (in the best case).
- Remove the old paint with a metal brush, a drill with a nozzle or anti-corrosion wash.
- Apply a primer (prevents corrosion, provides better adhesion to the paint).
- Coat one sludge with several coats of paint.
- You can paint with a stencil. To do this, cover the battery with one layer, then glue the stencil and apply a second layer from the spray gun. After drying, the stencil must be removed.
Decoupage
A great way to decorate a battery with your own hands is decoupage. This is a great solution to make beautiful drawings on the radiator that will be in harmony with the general color scheme and fit perfectly into the overall style of the room. This method consists of the following steps:
- Clean the battery with cleaning compounds, a drill or a brush. Wipe problem areas with sandpaper.
- Coat the battery with paint and wait until it dries completely.
- Cut out the necessary patterns from napkins and separate the extra layers of paper.
- Coat the fragments with PVA glue and attach to the radiator.
- Smooth the surface of the drawings, remove air bubbles.
- Wait until the glue has completely dried.
- Coat the battery with two layers of clear light varnish.
Decorative grill
The decor of the battery can be made in the form of an original lattice with a favorite pattern. This method is mainly used if it is necessary to cover a radiator located in a niche. A step-by-step instruction is as follows:
- From plywood, cut out the pattern of the picture you like.
- Go through this template with an electric jigsaw.
- To achieve perfect transitions between the elements of the ornament, it is necessary to process it with a milling cutter.
- Depending on the size of the battery and the selected pattern, make the required number of templates.
- Templates must be cleaned with sandpaper and coated with the selected paint, varnish or enamel.
- When choosing an ornament, do not forget about the holes for air ventilation.
- The elements are fastened with fasteners, the grill is installed or suspended on the battery.
False fireplace
The decor of the battery in the form of a fireplace will look very original. This method is used if the radiator is located in the center of the wall. The following steps are recommended for making a raised fireplace:
- Prepare the following materials: furniture board, plywood, whetstones, wooden layout.
- Create a fireplace template with a window in the center.
- Fasten the box to the wall.
- The joints of the screws to process the putty.
- In a makeshift firebox install a lamp.
- Close the battery with imitation stone.
Drywall
You can make the decor of the heating battery with your own hands using drywall. To do this, cut out the necessary-sized box (slightly larger than the size of the radiator), fixed with metal profiles, and fix it on the wall. It is only necessary not to forget about the ventilation windows through which warm air will come out. Drywall decor will help the battery to merge together with the general interior of the room, without attracting too much attention.
Pipe finish
When designing a heating radiator, it is also recommended to pay attention to the finish of the pipes. If the entire heating system is the same color as the walls, there will be a visual harmonious connection of the common space. If the battery and pipes are made in a different color, a bright accent will appear (it is necessary that it harmoniously fits into the overall style). Pipes are part of the overall visual perception of the room, so do not ignore their decoration.
Interior Application
Decor heating radiators, photos of which are presented in large numbers on the site, can be used in the interior of different rooms. Experienced craftsmen are ready to share some secrets:
- Living room. Here, a radiator in the form of a fireplace or a plasterboard box suitable for the general style will be appropriate.
- Bedroom. The decorative grille, decoupage, original painting, suitable for the general concept, as well as a false fireplace will look great.
- Children’s. Decoupage will be the best decision, as young children like to look at modular pictures.
- Kitchen. Most suitable screen, which will be combined in style and color with the overall concept of the kitchen. There are also options for painting the color of walls or windows.
- Bathroom. It is best if the battery in the bathroom is painted or covered with a special grid. They are represented in large numbers in the assortment of stores and often serve as storage systems.
Not only heat, but also the beauty of the room depends on the heating radiators in the house. If you decorate yourself, originality and the charm of the overall visual perception will appear. A little skill, a lot of desire and maximum imagination are enough to make the apartment elegant and stylish.